The town of Marsa, situated in the innermost creek of Grand Harbour, is the nerve centre for the Islands' shipping and engineering industries.
The name Marsa means harbour in Arabic, and there have been port facilities here since Phoenician times. It was in use too in Roman times. Roman baths and catacombs have been found in the area.
Today, Marsa is home to Malta Drydocks, Malta Shipbuilding and an industrial estate. But it is also synonymous with sports. The Marsa Sports Complex houses a modern horseracing course, the Marsa Sports Club with its 18-hole golf course, and the National Athletics Stadium.